by Todd Phillips I have read a lot about the proposed treatment options. I agree with many that the public option is being spearheaded by a special interest group. I have read letters to the Peak from public union officials who only disclose themselves as concerned citizens. I have read articles that say the one person who voted against joint treatment is a Catalyst Paper Corporation Powell River mill employee, implying conflict of interest. Yet, there is no mention of the number of winning votes that were made by people with direct ties to CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 798. This to me would be more of a conflict of interest since their vote won.
Powell River Water Watch had a table set up at the mall. I decided to approach with some questions to hear the organization’s side of the issue. I asked about the cost difference to taxpayers. The reply was to tell me which councillors are useless and shove a petition to sign at me. The next inquiry was, why, if public is so great, is our existing million dollar public treatment plant not in compliance? The answer was a lecture on who I should vote for. I asked about the public option site, old incinerator land, and my concerns about its nearest ocean outflow being Willingdon Beach. The reply was that large corporations like Catalyst should not be able to force their will on the people. Once again a petition was put in front of me to sign.
I wonder how many of these signatures on the petition were signed with a bit of a push? When I vote in the municipal election it is to vote for the people who will best represent my opinions. Four thousand, five hundred and forty-two people voted in the last election. These people [City of Powell River councillors] are making decisions based on our choice to elect them. Yet a petition of 1,040 people at a city meeting is considered more of the will of the people.
My concerns as a taxpaying citizen are these. My main source of income is a disability pension. This is increased by core inflation and has risen 10.7 per cent in 15 years. My property tax has risen 79 per cent in the same time. Property tax is now 20.8 per cent of my pension, more than electricity, cable and phone combined. My property taxes are going to rise because of this issue and I have no public sewage at my house. I rely on my own septic tank.
I hope council will make the correct decision based on value for dollar. If this cannot be done then let both sides put their best case forward and put it to referendum.
Todd Phillips is an overtaxed, concerned citizen living in Powell River.
